Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh

Book I: Dissension

Chapter V: Team Seven

He loves mornings like this, when the sky is blue and the sun bright. On mornings like this, for a time, he feels at peace. The sun has barely just risen and everything around him is still. There he sits on the balcony staring at the table in front of him.

On the table sat an unfinished game of Shogi. He knows the peace he feels is but an illusion. But he doesn't care; he embraces the illusion because reality isn't always pleasant. In reality, peace is something he has not known for many years. Sometimes, he wonders if he ever truly knew peace. But, that doesn't matter. Soon, very soon, he will know peace. And so will the world.

Suddenly he sees movement out of the corner of his eye. It's an unexpected movement, but he does not register one bit of surprise. For him, those who show surprise for things that are unexpected are those who are unprepared. And those who are unprepared are weak. "Lord Madara," says the man.

"Yes Zetsu," Madara replied.

"We have received word from Konoha Lord," Zetsu said. "The Nine Tails has returned just as predicted."

Behind his mask, Madara smiled. "Send word to Sasuke," he said, "Tell him to prepare himself. We move shortly."

"Yes Madara," Zetsu responded as he faded into the ground.

Madara stared at the game of Shogi and breathed in the fresh morning air. Leaning forward, he touched a game piece and moved its position. Finally, he thought to himself, all the pieces are in place.

******Konoha – Residence of Tsunade******

Tsunade stood observing Naruto and Sai perform their final equipment checks. It was early in the morning and she was still tired from the festivities from last night. Part of her wondered how Naruto, at just past the crack of dawn, could still be so refreshed after partying into the late night.

Ah the gift of youth, she thought to herself, or perhaps the gift of the nine tails. Whatever the reason, as usual, Naruto was a picture of endless stamina and excitement. And why shouldn't he be excited? Tsunade was sure a great deal of fear was mixed in as well. Not only was the mission they were going to undertake a dangerous one, it was also special in other ways.

Another thing she noticed was how well Sai and Naruto were getting along. Despite everything that happened Naruto seemed to bear no grudge. There he was, laughing and talking with Sai as though nothing had happened between them. Naruto's capacity for forgiveness was something she marveled at. She thought, while at Danzo's office yesterday, that having Sai in the squad would be problematic. It appeared that she was concerned for no reason.

******Konoha – Office of the Hokage – Yesterday afternoon******

"So I assume we're all clear on your mission," Danzo asked. Danzo addressed his three guests in front of him.

"Of course," Naruto responded. Once again Naruto stood just barely in the office, refusing to sit. Lady Tsunade sat in front of Danzo with Sakura seated next to her. "Our mission is to infiltrate Kumogakure," Naruto said, "and learn whatever we can regarding Akatsuki's location and plans."

"Correct," Danzo continued, "I would prefer you don't engage the enemy until backup arrives."

"And just who," Sakura asked, "will be our back up?"

"If necessary, we will send team ten to your location," Danzo replied.

"Wait," Tsunade interjected, "That's Shikamaru's team. Shikamaru should be part of Team 7 for this mission. His analytical skills might come in handy."

"No," Danzo replied angrily. "I have decided that Shikamaru will be part of the back up squad. You, Naruto will lead Team 7." Naruto seemed to be surprised by this, which brought a smile to Danzo's face. "Don't look so surprised," he said sarcastically, "I've heard your dream is to be Hokage one day. How can you lead a village if you've never lead your own squad?"

"Then," asked Naruto, "who will be our third member?"

"Sai," Danzo replied.

Immediately Sakura rose in protest. "No way," she yelled." There is no way Sai will be on this squad!"

Danzo sat back in his seat and regarded Sakura for a moment. "Is there a reason," Danzo asked, "that you should question my decision." Danzo knew damn well why and the fact he acted like he didn't only angered Sakura further. "Sai," he continued "is one of my best and most loyal ninja. He has also worked with you on several missions and from what I've heard you work well together."

"To hell with that," Sakura continued. "There's no way we can trust that bast…"

"It's ok Sakura," Naruto interrupted. Sakura turned to see Naruto looking intently at her. "Sai will do fine," he said. Sakura stood watching Naruto who maintained his focus on her. A few moments later she turned to Danzo and quietly sat down.

"Well if we're done with interruptions," Danzo said, "I will give you one last detail of this mission. Before we sent you, we sent another squad into the Kumogakure on this mission. It was through them we gained the intelligence we have. However, three days ago we lost contact with the squad."

"So you want us to rescue them," Naruto asked.

"No," Danzo replied, "This is not a rescue mission. However if you run across Team Three, do what you can."

"Team Three?" Tsunade exclaimed while sitting forward in her chair. Sakura, as well showed definite concern. "My god," was all she could say. "Why would you send them on a mission like that," Tsunade asked. "They're barely Chuunin level!"

"I do not answer to you," Danzo replied, "My decisions are my own. Besides they requested this mission."

"I don't get it," Naruto said, "who's Team Three?"

Sakura looked down, almost afraid to tell Naruto. Finally she said, "Team Three is Konohamaru's team." It was then, Naruto felt as if his heart dropped.

******Konoha – The Main Entrance – Now******

Naruto, Sai and Tsunade were waiting at the main entrance for Sakura. Tsunade looked on as they spoke with each other. Despite the fact she wasn't going on this mission she felt tense. The weight of what was to happen, what could happen, hung in her mind.

The implications if Naruto were to fail in this mission were great. And Konohamaru; what has become of him and his squad. Was he still alive? Was he a prisoner? Did the enemy know that he was the grandson of the Third? If so she knew a ransom request would not be long in arriving. She also knew, knowing Danzo, that it would be ignored.

Despite the great responsibility given too him, Naruto felt surprisingly relaxed. Somehow he knew in his heart that Konohamaru was alright. He was strong, the grandson of the Third. Looking over he could see the tension on Tsunade's face. "Granny Tsunade," he said, "perhaps you need to take a break. Head home and have some tea."

Tsunade could not understand how Naruto could be so calm, so confident. "Naruto," she said, "You really have become strong while you were away."

Smiling, Naruto replied, "Maybe, but I've been in those lands before. I know what to expect. We'll finish this mission no problem. And we'll find Konohamaru and his friends. They're strong and I'm sure they're all right. I'll just miss the soft mattress, warm baths and meals."

"That reminds me," Naruto said, "I never thanked you for making those meals in the mornings and drawing baths for me. They really hit the spot."

Tsunade seemed to regard Naruto with confusion. "Wait," she said, "You think that I…." Tsunade then burst into raucous laughter. "You actually think," she continued incapable of stopping her laughter, " That I would actually run baths and cook for you! Get real kid!"

Now it was Naruto's turn to be confused. "Wait," he said, "are you saying you didn't do those things? Then who did?"

Tsunade walked over to a bench on the side of the street and sat. She leaned back and looked at Naruto. "Who do you think?"

Naruto thought for a moment. Who would have done something like that for me, he thought.

"I guess we're ready?" Naruto heard the voice and looked up to see Sakura approaching him. It was then he remembered something Tsunade had told him several times every morning, "Breakfast was prepared and a hot bath was drawn at the back of the house. Sakura already stopped by but left on an errand. She'll be back soon."

Naruto couldn't believe he had been so dense. Sakura had done those things? Wow! She really does care. Maybe, maybe she….

It was then Naruto noticed her ninja gear and how beautiful she looked in it. She wore a long red and white one piece dress that had pink and white flowers trailing down the left side. The lower right side of her dress was cut away revealing her trademark black shorts. Her upper left arm was long sleeved while the right side was sleeveless and as usual she wore her black gloves. And her hair was neatly tied up with a red ribbon.

"Earth to Naruto," Sakura said while snapping her fingers, "what's wrong with you? Why are you staring at me?"

"Um, I," Naruto stuttered, "I was just thinking you look…great Sakura-chan." Sakura blushed,

"Oh, well thank you Naruto," Sakura said with a smile. "Do like my new outfit? Ino helped me pick it out."

"Yea," He replied, "It's really awesome." Staring at this scene before her, Tsunade couldn't help but laugh to herself seeing these two blushing children. As strong and confident as they are, she thought, their like blind mice in the dark with each other.

"Well," Tsunade interrupted, "Now that you've arrived Sakura. You three can head out. Naruto don't you think you should let them know the plan?"

"Right," Naruto's face grew serious, "as you guys know our mission is to infiltrate The Land of Lightning and get information on Akatsuki. We should arrive in two days and enter from the south. It's heavily forested there and we should be able to sneak in. From there we head southeast to a village that we believe Akatsuki has been sighted."

Naruto then looked at Sai and said, "Danzo has told us that Team Three is not a priority and this is not a rescue mission. Well, to hell with that. Team Three is our number one priority."

Sai nodded, "Of course."

Tsunade rose to her feet and addressed the group. "I have faith in you all," she said, "I know you will do well and bring them home. Naruto I'd like to speak to you, please come with me." Tsunade gestured to Naruto and they went around the corner out of sight.

"Naruto has really become strong," Sai said smiling at Sakura. Sakura turned and looked angrily at Sai. In one quick, sweeping motion Sakura grabbed Sai by the neck and slammed him into a nearby wall.

Struggling for breath Sai screamed, "Sakura, what are you doing?"

"Shut up Sai and listen," Sakura said, "I don't trust you and I don't like you. The only reason, the ONLY reason, I agreed to have you on this mission is because Naruto, for whatever reason, has faith in you. I don't. But I have faith in Naruto."

Sakura squeezed Sai tighter. "But let me warn you," she said, "If you jeopardize this mission. If you hurt Naruto. If you give me one reason to think you will betray us again, I will snap you in half. Understand?"

Sai answered barely in a barely audible voice, "Yes."

Sakura let Sai go and he fell with a thud. Sai rose and rubbed his neck. "I see you're still very protective and gentle with Naruto-kun, Sakura," he said smiling.

"Ok," Naruto said as he and Tsunade came back, "Are guys ready?"

"Yep," said Sai.

"Let's do this," Sakura responded.

"Hey Naruto," Tsunade said, "your forgetting something." Tsunade reached into her back pocket and threw a cloth at Naruto which he caught. Unfolding it Naruto realized that it was his Leaf Ninja forehead protector. "You're a Leaf Ninja again," Tsunade said, "You should wear that."

Naruto smiled at Tsunade and tied it to his head. When he finished he looked up to see the mountain range where his fathers face was carved. Taking a deep breath he turned and walked past Sakura and Sai. With Naruto taking the lead he said but one sentance. "Alright Team Seven," he said, "Lets move out!"

******End of Chapter Five******

Next Time: Dancing Chakra under the Moonlit Sky